Devon Walker Spills Tea on SNL’s Toxic Culture

I’m Quinn Parker, and I’m here to give you the lowdown on the latest celebrity scoop. As an over-caffeinated aunt spilling thoughts faster than you can keep up, I’ve got the inside track on what really went down with Devon Walker and Saturday Night Live.

Devon Walker, a 34-year-old comedian and former cast member of Saturday Night Live, has finally opened up about his sudden exit from the show after just three seasons. In a recent interview with Variety, Walker described SNL as “toxic as hell” and revealed that the show’s culture hasn’t changed much over the years. According to Walker, there are certain aspects of the show that he wouldn’t discuss for free, and he’s still trying to find the right platform to share his experiences.

Walker, who was known for his impersonation of NYC Mayor Eric Adams in several sketches, was the first star to announce his departure shortly after creator Lorne Michaels teased a cast shakeup ahead of the new season’s premiere on October 4. In an Instagram post, Walker compared his relationship with SNL to a tumultuous romance, saying that it was “really cool” at times but also “toxic as hell.” He added that despite the dysfunction, they made the most of it and created a “f–ked up lil family.”

Walker’s comments have sparked a lot of interest, especially given that three more cast members – Emil Wakem, Michael Longfellow, and Heidi Gardner – left the show in the following days. Wakem, 27, described SNL as “the most terrifying, thrilling and rewarding experience of my life,” while Longfellow, 31, said it was the “best three years of my life so far.” Gardner, who had been with the show for eight seasons, was the longest-tenured woman on SNL, but she has yet to comment on her departure.

In his interview with Variety, Walker expressed his hope that SNL could become more humane in its treatment of cast members. He argued that the show often leaves performers hanging during the summer, unsure if they’ll have their jobs when they return. “What ends up happening over the summer is oftentimes people are left hanging with big life decisions – people trying to start families or buy homes – and there’s no word from the show about whether they have their job,” he explained. Walker believes that a “measure of humanity” could be added to the show’s culture, allowing cast members to know the status of their jobs at a reasonable juncture.

Walker also addressed the fan reactions to his departure, saying that he appreciates their sadness but thinks it’s “a little silly.” He emphasized that he does what he does because he enjoys it and hopes that his work resonates with people. “I respect people being sad, but I think the level of sadness feels a little silly,” he said. “I’m still here, and I’m still making things that I hope people enjoy.”

As for how Walker learned about his exit, he didn’t clarify whether he left voluntarily or was let go by Michaels. However, he did suggest that the show could be more accommodating when it comes to cutting main cast members loose. “If there’s one thing I hope for the future of the show, it’s that a sprinkle of humanity could be added into it,” he shared. “I understand it’s show business and it’s cutthroat, but people have lives, and people deserve to know the status of their job at a reasonable juncture.”

The news of Walker’s departure and his comments on SNL’s culture have sparked a lot of interest and discussion among fans and industry insiders. As the new season of SNL approaches, it will be interesting to see how the show addresses these concerns and whether it will make any changes to its culture.

And that’s a wrap, folks! It’s clear that Devon Walker’s departure from SNL has opened up a can of worms, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on how this story unfolds.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and Variety, The New York Post
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed